Around two thirds of the people in Ireland want the Government to ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes, new research shows.

A survey carried out by the independent polling organisation Ipsos found that 64% of respondents aged 15 and over support the banning of disposable e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, while only 28% opposed the measure and 8% were unsure.

The results are published ahead of the Government’s public consultation period on disposable e-vaping devices ending today (July 27).

Welcoming the Ipsos research, Mark Murphy, Advocacy Manager, Environmental Health and Tobacco, with the Irish Heart Foundation said it showed the public know disposable vapes are not only a health risk but also pose a threat to the environment.

He said only a comprehensive ban of all forms of disposable e-cigarettes would play a major role in deterring “another generation of young people” from becoming nicotine addicts.

A nationally representative sample of just over one thousand people aged 15 and over took part in the Ipsos survey which was carried out between July 3rd and 15th 2023.

Of the 1,016 people questioned, 57% in the 15-24 age group supported a disposable vape ban, while half of the 24-35 age group were in favour.

The majority of all other age groups who took part in the survey also agreed the sale of disposable vapes in Ireland should end.

In its submission to Government, the Irish Heart Foundation said a study by the Health Research Board showed that teenagers who use vapes are between three and five times more likely to start smoking than those who don’t.

A similar pattern was found by the European Union’s Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks, the national stroke and heart charity said, which found that e-cigarettes were a gateway to smoking for young people.

Mr Murphy added that research carried out earlier this year by anti-smoking lobby organisation Action on Smoking and Health in the UK revealed that 69% of the youngsters across the UK who vaped used disposable vapes – up from just 7.7% in 2021.

“A similar pattern could easily emerge in this country,” he said.

Our submission also highlighted the risk to the environment posed by disposable vapes, which cannot be recycled and which contain plastic, copper and a lithium battery.

Improper dumping of disposable vapes, the foundation said, was leading to more devices washing up on beaches and rivers – and in Co Cork, a clean-up operation on the River Bride found 50 single-use vapes in one afternoon.

Mr Murphy added: “Moreover, their sleek design makes them easy to hide from parents and teachers.

“Ireland led the way with its workplace smoking ban, but we are fast losing ground again in the fight against tobacco addiction.

“We simply cannot allow another generation of young people to become addicted to nicotine.”